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In 2017, the Epcot Food and Wine Festival will take place August 31 through November 13. That’s 75 days of discovering new dishes, enjoying interesting wines, and learning about exciting cocktails and craft beers.

But unless you’re independently wealthy, you probably won’t be enjoying the entire two and a half month stretch.

To get you started on everything from choosing your dates, to what to pack, and how you pay for it all, let’s check out our best tips for Preparing for the Epcot Food and Wine Festival, From Start to Finish.

1) Schedule Your Dates

It may seem basic, but get the calendar out and decide when you’d like to visit.

But really, it’s not so basic, right? There are all kinds of things to consider: When are crowds the largest? What’s the weather like? And OMG is Hanson going to be there this year??? (Spoiler Alert: Yep. They are.)

Unfortunately, with respect to schedules, if you have to plan in advance, you’re going to have to do so with some unknowns. Disney always puts out the final schedule of events, for everything from Special Events to Demonstrations and Seminars, pretty much at the last minute. Even Eat to the Beat is coming later and later (although we do have that full lineup — see it here!)

Beverage Seminar

Our suggestion? Plan as much as you can based upon weather, crowds, and a general idea of when Special Events have taken place historically. For a look back at all of the details of previous Festivals, check out our Disney Food and Wine Festivals Page. [Read more…]

New! 2016 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Booths and Menu Items

For the second straight year, the fun is officially expanding into Future World, as Marketplace Booths will once again be located in this part of the park. Enjoy more than 30 different booths in all! [Read more…]

While we’ve learned more this week about new and returning Special Events, we also firmed up the official list of Marketplace Booths that will appear for the Festival’s 20th anniversary. And believe or not, a few other things happened as well. 🙂

Let’s do a brief recap of Disney Food News before we take a look around at what else is new this week.

You may be just starting Summer vacation and all that goes with it, but here at Disney Food Blog, we’re also busy gearing up for one of our most favorite times of the year — the Epcot Food and Wine Festival!

The festival, which runs from September 25 until November 16 this year, will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2015. There is so much to do, see, taste, and experience, all crammed into seven weeks. So you’re bound to have some questions about planning for it — and specifically, how to budget for all you want to do.

So today, let’s talk a little bit about budgeting to get you ready for Fall’s biggest Disney food event.

Florida Local

Eating locally raised foods is a high priority for many consumers right now, and to celebrate this hot food trend, the Florida Local Marketplace offers fresh local fare with fun twists!

2012 Florida Local Marketplace Booth

2012 Florida Marketplace Booth Menu - Click for larger image

First up — the Florida Shrimp Ceviche with Fire Roasted Vegetables, Fried Plantains, and Cilantro. This is a fan favorite already (I keep overhearing people say “where’s that ceviche?” when I’m wandering the festival)!

While the festival had ceviche a couple of years ago at a different booth, this option seems like a fresher take on the dish. I loved the addition of fried plantains!

They’ve represented Australia, Mexico (right down to the tiled landscape on the front of the booth!), Ireland (check out those MASSIVE beer steins!), Greece, and the Hops and Barley booth. Check out these close up pictures — and feel free to click on any of them for a larger version: [Read more…]